Dear Colleagues,

With a Federal election and a Conclave in the past month there has been a very strong focus on leadership in the public arena and especially so for Catholics. It has also meant that for CaSPA there have been relatively few of our usual consultations and interactions with the Government in caretaker mode.

It was difficult to engage with the election in the provision of comparative information regarding parties and candidates positions on education, often due to the late provision of it. In many jurisdictions Principals were provided with material to distribute that drew a strong public backlash and we are aware that the various associations are supporting those principals caught up. Legally Principals are guided in this space by the ACNC which prohibits campaigning for or against particular political parties or candidates but allows commentary on policy and comparison. As we move into this next Tterm it is vital that we as principals remain engaged with our existing and new federal members to inform them well of our value as a sector and merit as individual school communities.

On behalf of CaSPA I wish to congratulate the Albanese government on their re-election, and particularly our continuing Education Minister Jason Clare. Jason has shown strong form in his first term and has been instrumental in increasing consultation with peak principal's groups as well as engaging in the Principal Wellbeing space and the role of Principal autonomy in creating successful schools.

I congratulate Pope Leo XIV on his election as Pope. It is wonderful to have someone who has worked as a high school teacher as Pope. Leo has also been a school administrator through his role with the Augustinians and as has been proudly proclaimed, a visitor to the Augustinian schools in Australia. In his short time in office, he has articulated a number of positive messages for teachers, not least of which were his remarks on the occasion of the Feast Day of St John Baptist De La Salle, patron saint of teachers on May 15 this year and repeated later in this Newsletter.

At present we are in the midst of planning for our next National Conference in Sydney 7-10 July 2026 in partnership with ACSP NSW. We have locked in the Hyatt Regency as the venue which promises to provide us with an exceptional space to explore our theme of Inspiring Leadership: Celebrating Faith Learning and Wellbeing into the Future. Please create a placeholder in your calendars.

We recently received a CaSPA Partner Report from ACU regarding the 2024 Principal Health and Wellbeing data. It will be placed on the Website. Some key areas of concern continue to be the experience of violent behaviours towards Principals, senior leaders and teachers as well as excessive workloads. We will continue to advocate for our Principals at a State/Territorial and Federal level as opportunities arise as well as creating opportunities to voice the needs of all.

Best wishes

Dr Stephen Kennaugh GAICD

CaSPA President

Late last month the CaSPA Board met in Perth. The Board holds their ‘in person’ meetings in rotation through the eight jurisdictions on a two-year schedule. The other meetings this year will be in Darwin and Sydney. On the agenda for Perth are meetings with the incoming CEWA Executive Director and former CaSPA Director, Annette Morey, members of the State branch executive and Dr Neil Carrington who will continue the work on strategic advance.

Decisions will be made around Scholarship and Social Action projects and new research proposals considered. Governance activities will include a review of risk appetite and financials.

Directors have been very active in the home jurisdictions during conference season.

Profiles of all the CaSPA Board are available on the CaSPA Website: https://caspa.schoolzineplus.com/current-and-past-board-members

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• March 21 CESF Meeting
• March 24 Amplify Teacher and leadership meeting (AITSL)
• March 25 CaSPA and ACCPA Meeting
• March 28 Meeting with Neil Carrington re Strategic Plan
• April 1 Conference Meeting
• April 7 Meeting with Neil Carrington re Strategic Plan
• April 9 CaSPA Board Zoom
• April 9 AITSL Focus Group meeting
• April 10 AuSAE Demo Day - Association Management Systems (AMS)
• April 10 Focus Group: National peak principals group & dandolo (ACARA insights)
• April 17 Meeting to discuss Partnership with CaSPA and SCP
• May 15-17 CaSPAQ Conference
• May 15 [dandolo] DSE e-courses development, consultation with peak education bodies
• May 19 Conference Meeting
• May 20-23 ACSP Conference

SAVE THE DATE – CaSPA National Conference 2026

Intergrating AI in Education Seminar – Hosted by St Mary Mackillop College, ACT

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Writer’s Toolbox arose out of the university research and teachings of Associate Professor Ian Hunter. Concerned about the writing ability in his own university students in the late 1990s, Dr Hunter began what has cumulated into a 25-year action research project.

An historian by training, Dr Hunter was concerned that any approach to writing instruction should not be based on passing fads, rather, should be anchored in time-proven teaching methods.  Consequently, he surveyed 150-years of writing research in schools and classrooms around the globe to unearth what had worked irrefutably.  The result is Writer's Toolbox.  It is a combination of educational philosophy, cutting-edge technology, and explicit, pragmatic teaching. 

Did You Know?
Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost) earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in mathematics from Villanova University, an Augustinian college, in 1977. He also served as a physics and math teacher at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago during his studies.

In a significant move, Pope Leo XIV has identified artificial intelligence (AI) as one of the most critical challenges facing humanity in his first papal address. This announcement signals the Catholic Church's intention to engage deeply with the ethical and social implications of AI technology.

Key points from the Pope's address:

1. AI parallels with Industrial Revolution: Pope Leo XIV drew comparisons between the current AI revolution and the industrial revolution of the late 19th century, suggesting similar societal impacts.

2. Inspired by predecessor: The new pontiff's choice of name pays homage to Pope Leo XIII, known for addressing workers' rights and capitalism during the industrial age.

3. Continuing reforms: Leo XIV committed to furthering the modernizing reforms initiated by Pope Francis, aiming for a more inclusive Church.

4. AI and human dignity: The Pope emphasized the need to ensure AI developments serve human dignity, justice, and labor rights.

5. Global perspective: This stance aligns with previous warnings about AI risks to human dignity and the potential widening of the gap between advanced and developing nations.

The new pontiff vowed to continue some of Pope Francis’s missions, including making the Catholic Church more inclusive.

The first American Pope told the cardinals who elected him that he was fully committed to the reforms.

He singled out AI as one of the main issues facing humanity, saying: “In our own day, the Church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour.”

The choice of the name Leo is deeply significant as this month marks the 134th anniversary of Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum, on the condition of the working classes. This suggests a clear commitment to the social apostolate of the Church and associated Catholic Social Teachings, notably human dignity and preferential options for the poor.

Tim ClearyTim Cleary • 1st1stCollege Principal GAICDCollege Principal GAICD1w • Edited • 1 week ago • Edited • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

I woke up to the extraordinary news that my past Prior General of the Augustinian Order became Pope Leo XIV. Fr Robert Prevost, OSA then became Cardinal and now his Holy Father. These photos were taken in 2001 and 2008 at St Augustine’s College by Les Bobis. Together we sailed on Sydney Harbour and ate at Pilu restaurant Freshwater. We met on several occasions- again, twice in Rome and then in Lima, Peru. A blessing for the Church and the World. Companions on the journey!

Pope Leo XIV greets Brother Armin Altamirano Luistro, superior of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, during an audience with members of the order at the Vatican May 15, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

https://lnkd.in/eFcukYj3

This morning, Pope Leo XIV addressed the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the larger Lasallian family. He noted the significance of this May 15, for not only is it the solemnity of St. John Baptist de La Salle, but it also marks the 300-year anniversary of the Church's recognition of the Institute as a religious order and the 75th anniversary of the declaration of De La Salle as patron saint of all educators.

‘Rich and Vast Educational Entity’

“After three centuries, it is wonderful to see how your presence continues to bear the freshness of a rich and vast educational entity, with which, in various parts of the world, you still devote yourselves to the formation of young people with enthusiasm, fidelity and a spirit of sacrifice,” Pope Leo said.

Their saint founder “loved to say, ”Your altar is the classroom,'” which created something new in the church: lay teachers and catechists who were “invested in the community with a genuine ‘ministry,’ following the principle of evangelizing by educating and educating by evangelizing.”

St. de La Salle introduced a new way of teaching and other innovations in order to confront the challenges at the time, he said. As problems arose, the saint sought “creative answers” and forged “new and often unexplored paths” instead of being discouraged.

Today, there are new obstacles to be faced, he said. “Think of the isolation caused by widespread relational models increasingly marked by superficiality, individualism and emotional instability; the spread of patterns of thinking weakened by relativism; and the prevalence of rhythms and lifestyles in which there is not enough room for listening, reflection and dialogue — at school, in the family, sometimes among peers themselves — with the resulting loneliness.”

Help Young People ‘to Grow in Harmony’

Even though young people are “a volcano of life, energy, feelings and ideas,” he said, they also need help “in order for this great wealth to grow in harmony, and to overcome what, albeit in a different way to the past, can still hinder their healthy development.”

Some “useful questions” to ask, he said, are “What are the most urgent challenges to be faced today in the world of young people? What values need to be promoted? What resources can we rely on?”

Pope Leo encouraged them to be like their founder and turn today’s challenges into “springboards to explore new ways, develop tools and adopt new languages to continue to touch the hearts of students, helping and encouraging them to face every obstacle with courage so that they may give the best of themselves in life, according to God’s plans.”

“The charism of the school, which you embrace with your fourth vow of teaching,” he said, is “a service to society and a valuable work of charity” as well as “one of the most beautiful and eloquent expressions of that priestly, prophetic and kingly ‘munus’ (role) that we have all received in baptism.”

“I hope that vocations to Lasallian religious consecration may grow, that they may be encouraged and promoted, in your schools and beyond, and that, in synergy with all the other formative components, they may contribute to inspiring joyful and fruitful paths of holiness among the young people who attend them,” he said.

Elsewhere on AI

The Vatican has released "Antiqua et nova" ("the old and the new"), a note "on the relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence". I strongly suggest all educators read it, even if (or perhaps especially if) you are not Catholic or religious, for the insights it offers. The document 'addresses the anthropological and ethical challenges raised by AI—issues that are particularly significant, as one of the goals of this technology is to imitate the human intelligence that designed it. For instance, unlike many other human creations, AI can be trained on the results of human creativity and then generate new “artifacts” with a level of speed and skill that often rivals or surpasses what humans can do, such as producing text or images indistinguishable from human compositions. This raises critical concerns about AI’s potential role in the growing crisis of truth in the public forum. Moreover, this technology is designed to learn and make certain choices autonomously, adapting to new situations and providing solutions not foreseen by its programmers, and thus, it raises fundamental questions about ethical responsibility and human safety, with broader implications for society as a whole. This new situation has prompted many people to reflect on what it means to be human and the role of humanity in the world.' [3].

The Vatican has released "Antiqua et nova" ("the old and the new"), a note "on the relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence". I strongly suggest all educators read it, even if (or perhaps especially if) you are not Catholic or religious, for the insights it offers. The document 'addresses the anthropological and ethical challenges raised by AI—issues that are particularly significant, as one of the goals of this technology is to imitate the human intelligence that designed it. For instance, unlike many other human creations, AI can be trained on the results of human creativity and then generate new “artifacts” with a level of speed and skill that often rivals or surpasses what humans can do, such as producing text or images indistinguishable from human compositions. This raises critical concerns about AI’s potential role in the growing crisis of truth in the public forum. Moreover, this technology is designed to learn and make certain choices autonomously, adapting to new situations and providing solutions not foreseen by its programmers, and thus, it raises fundamental questions about ethical responsibility and human safety, with broader implications for society as a whole. This new situation has prompted many people to reflect on what it means to be human and the role of humanity in the world.' [3].

David de Carvalho

Executive Dean, Faculty of Education, Philosophy and Theology, University of Notre Dame Australia

“In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest,” the new Pope said in his homily during his inauguration Mass.

“For our part, we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world,” he told the estimated 150,000 people gathered in and around St Peter’s Square.

“We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles! Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: ‘In the one Christ, we are one.’”

"We are called to offer God's love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people," he said on May 18 before a crowd of 200,000 gathered in a sun-drenched St. Peter's Square.

"I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world," the new pope said. " Brothers and sisters, this is the hour for love."

Christians, he said, must offer a different witness "so that all may experience God's embrace."

"We want to be a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world," Leo said.

In this report, we present more detailed results for Catholic Secondary Principals Australia (CaSPA) school leaders. These results are compared with results for all school leaders (ASL) participants of the Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey 2024 Data (the survey), and the general population where possible.

Don’t be shy,if you are new or yet to be featured please complete the information below and forward this information to: admin@caspa.edu.au

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If you have yet to feature in our Principal Profiles you are welcome to do so, simply send me an email at admin@caspa.edu.au with your answers and a picture.

Applications are now open for the 2026 NYSF Year 12 Program!

Do you know a year 11 student with a passion for STEM? Let them know to start their application to the 2026 NYSF Year 12 Program today!

In years 10 - 12? You can register to be the first to hear about the NYSF STEM Hubs taking place in July in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth!

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Are you currently pursuing tertiary studies and training or are in the early stages of your career? Register today for the National Youth STEM Summit to help you discover your professional identity and take real steps toward your dream STEM career. In 2025, the STEM Summit will be held in Melbourne!

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